Sangean: proving radio is a timeless medium
Sangean has long been home to premium audio and radio devices. Now, the company is keen to prove that the radio is a timeless medium.
For nearly half a century, Sangean has been manufacturing premium audio and radio devices. The company was founded in 1974, but the story started way before then.
Sangean: the story so far
Company founder C.S. Yang assembled his own radio for the first time in 1936. Yang had a dream of connecting with the world through music and sound, a passion that intensified upon being conscripted into the military. There, Yang worked as a communications officer, developing a deeper passion for innovation within radio. The specialist had knowledge of integrated circuits and the semiconductor field, and became motivated to found a company that could improve the concept of radio quality.
Yang and his brother founded Sangean Enterprise as a brand and manufacturer in 1974, and since then the company has established a reputation for setting a standard for its products’ build, design, sound, and reception.
The second generation of Sangean
With its second generation, Sangean has become a household name worldwide, with branch offices established in California, Hong Kong and Venlo, Netherlands. With growing demand across the globe, the company’s factory in New Taipei City was expanded into the city of Dongguan.
A big factor in Sangean’s ascent into becoming a reliable and renowned brand is their procedure. The company chooses not to outsource the production of its electronics, producing all devices within the Sangean company. This is especially true of the company’s radio products, which Sangean handles from research and development to after sales. This way, quality reception and sensitivity can be ensured.
Radio products key to Sangean expansion
The company also stands out due to its investment in design. Sangean broke ground in 1980, when it introduced the SG-786: the company’s first foray into the short wave radio market. The model was well-received by consumers and since then the company produces radio products that fit in well around the home.
Demand for high-quality radios proved to be the catalyst for Sangean’s expansion around the world. The brand office in the United States was established in 1987, followed by the establishment of a factory in Dong Guan in China in 1993.
Sangean’s radio branch is key to the organisation, with the company adapting to changes and innovations in the market and industry. In 1997, the company’s ATS-909 portable shortwave radio won the Taiwan Symbol of Excellence.
One year later, the company’s DPR-1 model was developed for the DAB Radio market. By producing both portable and tabletop models, the company has been able to enjoy a steady growth throughout the decades.
In 2005, the market saw the introduction of HD and WiFi radios, and the HDT-1 was the first HD radio from Sangean. Around this time, the company started to invest in the Internet of Things (IoT), with the WFR-20 product embedding this technology and continuing to be updated to this day.
More recent developments with Sangean include the production of a range of Bluetooth radios in 2012. The analogue WR-12 BT and digital DDR-47 BT radios were fitted with Bluetooth to ensure wireless audio streaming for listeners. The company received the Spotify Connect licence in 2013, with the option to connect the product to Spotify.
The company is committed to the notion that the radio is a timeless medium that can play a part in any scenario. “The beauty amplified in sound waves holds no prejudice towards age or group and can be produced effortlessly by our products”, the company says.
